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Kelly Townsend

Kelly Townsend is the editor at Playback, with previous experience in B2B and entertainment journalism. Before joining the Playback team in 2018, she worked in the editorial, marketing and communication departments at B2B publisher Dovetail Communications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from York University and is a graduate of Humber College’s journalism program. Her byline has appeared in IndieWire and she spent several years covering Canadian TV as associate editor of The TV Junkies.

Posts by Kelly Townsend

CFC exec Ana Serrano named president of OCAD University

The digital trailblazer will depart her current position as chief digital officer at the CFC in June to take over as president and vice-chancellor of the university on July 1.

January 29, 2020

Brain Power adds two new exec roles to boost content output

Stan Hum and Nancy Yeaman have been promoted to EVP, business development and distribution and EVP, kids and original content, respectively.

January 28, 2020

Degrassi co-creator Kit Hood dies

The writer, producer and director who helped create one of Canada’s most enduring TV franchises passed at his home in Nova Scotia on Jan. 20.

January 27, 2020

Bell Media sets Transplant to premiere in February

The medical drama will premiere on CTV and French-language network VRAK on Wednesday, Feb. 26, with the first episode available to preview on CTV.ca as early as Feb. 9.

January 24, 2020

Canadian copro My Salinger Year to open Berlinale

The film is written and directed by past Crystal Bear winner Philippe Falardeau and stars Sigourney Weaver and Margaret Qualley.

January 24, 2020

Dan Levy joins the cast of rom-com Happiest Season

Entertainment One is handling Canadian and U.K. distribution for the film, which is the first project Levy has been attached to since production wrapped on Schitt’s Creek.

January 23, 2020

Netflix takes Restaurants on the Edge worldwide

The factual series, produced by marblemedia and OutEast Entertainment, launches on Netflix internationally on Feb. 28.

January 22, 2020

Love Nature comes to the ‘Rescue’ with new commission

Docuseries Wild Pacific Rescue, produced by Toronto’s White Pine Pictures, will follow a team of vets as they treat oceanic wildlife.

January 21, 2020

Quebecor files complaint over CBC’s French-language SVOD

President and CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau stated Ici Tout.TV Extra is an “alarming departure” from the pubcaster’s mission by placing content behind a subscription fee.

January 20, 2020

Corus partners with Neshama, Champlain on original MOWs

The broadcaster has 50 films on its slate, some of which aired during 2019’s Countdown to Christmas, as part of a commitment to boost independent Canadian production.

January 17, 2020

Blue Ant Int’l sells over 320 hours of content ahead of NATPE

Broadcasters in Canada, the U.S. and Latin America have picked up factual titles such as Cold Valley and scripted content, including Gary and His Demons.

January 16, 2020

Anne with an E, D.N.Ace lead ACTRA Toronto nominations

Both series earned four nominations apiece, while digital series Tokens made award history with two nominations, including for its ensemble.

January 15, 2020